Thursday, 17 November 2016

"Filling the spiritual void with politics - doesn't work,"

From RRW

Arutz Sheva

Matthew M. Hausman, J.D., 11/13/2016

Progressive
Jews wear their partisan allegiances on their sleeves during election
season, often taking positions that are so inconsistent
with tradition as to cast doubt on whether their values are Jewish at
all, or merely secular political dogmas. The most fundamental
priorities for those claiming loyalty to tradition should be respect for
ancestral values and commitment to religious, cultural
and national survival. Instead, progressives espouse views that are
hostile to Jewish continuity and often display greater affinity for
left-wing anti-Semites, Islamic radicals, and revisionist narratives
that deny Jewish history.

Unbalanced
criticism of Israel and disrespect for tradition are not authentic
Jewish perspectives, but instead betray discomfort with Jewish
identity and history. It seems the further removed they become from
normative belief and practice, the more progressive Jews seek to fill
the spiritual void with secular philosophies and political ideals. In
many ways, left-wing politics is just as incompatible
with Jewish tradition as so-called Jews for Jesus. Both embrace
positions that contravene tradition, and both take advantage of
ignorance to promote alien ideologies as authentically Jewish.

The
agendas of progressive groups like J Street and the New Israel Fund
(NIF) are inconsistent with Israel’s continuity as a Jewish state.
Though such organizations may claim affinity for Jewish values, they
validate causes and programs that delegitimize Israel and undercut
Jewish cultural integrity...